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Friday, February 3, 2017

The best love stories begin with the most hilarious events. Jo is a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. While she's making her possibly best cheesecake ever her oven stops working. The only people she knows who would let her use an oven are Cade and Jude, who live in the same building. Jo rushes to their apartment to see if they can help her. Cade opens the door and when they start talking they're really noticing each other for the first time.

Cade is a professional hockey player for the Denver Mountain Lions. It's his passion, but it's also the only thing about him that people know and see. Cade loved someone once, at least he thought he did. It turned out that the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with didn't feel the same way and broke up with him in the worst possible way. Now Cade is spending his time with lots of women, but he doesn't let anybody come close.

Jo is so much fun. I loved how passionate she is about her job and admired the confident way she stands for her recipes. Her Italian family is loud and dramatic and her nonna is fabulous! I would love to have a nonna like her. Jo is someone who will always give people a chance. She sees the good in them and takes time to really get to know someone. She is really clumsy, which causes multiple hilarious moments. Jo is kindhearted and caring, she's a great person to be around, but isn't a pushover. I loved everything about her.

Cade is fearless when he's on the ice. He stands for his team and will take down anyone if need be. Cade is intelligent and he learned how to get under the skin of his opponents. He's very interested in history and loves spending time outdoors. Fishing, canoeing or hiking, Cade does it all. Cade is a different person on and off the ice. He's a loyal friend and makes sure that everybody is having a good time. The fact that he's tall, muscular, sweet and gorgeous made me fall in love with him right away.

When I read a book written by Aven Ellis I find myself laughing out loud all the time. I love the characters she comes up with. They always make me smile and I connect with them right from the start. Sugar and Ice is a beautiful story about two amazing people who are willing to give love a second chance. Cade and Jo's chemistry is obvious and I liked the way they communicate with each other through loving little jokes. They made Sugar and Ice feel so real and reminded me of when me and my husband were getting to know each other. A story by Aven Ellis never dissapoints and I have devoured every book she's ever written. I highly recommend the wonderful Sugar and Ice, it's a delicious story filled with mouthwatering descriptions of cupcakes and food.

Advice

Sugar and Ice is a fun story about second chances in love and fantastic food.

About Aven Ellis

I have always loved to write. I completed my first novel at the age of 15—an angst-driven high school romance (Boy meets girl! Evil girl likes same boy! A deception! Will true love prevail?) Though I truly wanted to be a fiction writer, I also knew it was more practical to pursue a job in the communications field and write fiction on the side. So I went off to Purdue University and earned a degree in communication, writing for The Exponent along the way (apologies to anyone who fought through reading those early attempts at journalism.)

After a stint writing for a community newspaper and a public relations agency, and not enjoying what I was writing at all, I found myself a non-writing job and continued writing at night and on weekends. I completed multiple manuscripts that found a home under my bed. Complete it, print it, stick it in an envelope, and slide it under the bed. It became a routine for me, similar to “Lather.Rinse.Repeat.”

Finally, years later, I wrote Connectivity. I loved this story; I loved writing for William and MK. I became brave enough to share this story with new friends who became equally as passionate about these characters and their journey. I ended up submitting Connectivity to Soul Mate Publishing, and it sold. Soul Mate also allowed me to explore this idea I had about writing a hockey-based series, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I’m a hockey nut and watch as much as humanly possible. I also love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. In addition to be obsessed with the Duchess, I’m equally obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.

My name is Aven Ellis, and I'm from Dallas, Texas. I write romantic comedies, specifically, hockey-based romantic comedies. I love to write books that have humor and good-boy heroes.

2. What makes your heart beat faster?

A good cardio workout, LOL!

3. If you could create the perfect romantic day what would it look like?

I wouldn't have a perfect romantic day. The perfect romantic night would be dinner out at an amazing restaurant, though.

4. Who is your favorite romantic couple?

Prince William and Kate Middleton.

5. Could you describe what romance means to you?

Romance to me is someone who remembers to do little things for you that shows they pay attention. Like picking up your favorite magazine when they see it, or bringing home your favorite chocolate. That is romantic to me.

6. Do you find it difficult to write about romance?

I don't! I love writing romance.

7. Can you tell us about your most romantic experience?

I had dinner with my husband once in Carmel, California, on a terrace filled with flowers and a gorgeous view at sunset. That was amazing.

8. What kind of music do you like to listen to when you're in a romantic mood?

I don't really have "romantic" moods personally for music, but I do have playlists created for writing my romance novels. Usually Top 40 is in heavy rotation. I like to keep things current when writing.

9. Which country personafies romance for you and why?

I've never traveled outside the United States so I don't feel like I can answer this one. I'd have to see a place to see if what everyone says is true.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

My next release is Save the Date, book number three in the Chicago and Ice series, is coming this April. In 2017 you'll also see Playing Defense, book number five in the Dallas Demons Series, and Reality Blurred, book number two in the Rinkside in the Rockies series.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of With Love For Books will win a digital copy of Sugar and Ice by Aven Ellis.